Memphis - The Rhodes College men's lacrosse season opened at home Saturday afternoon with a 15-11 win over DePauw. 

In addition to a tight first half which resulted in an 8-8 score at halftime, the two teams combined for 15 penalties before Rhodes' 5-1 third quarter advantage propelled them to victory. 

DePauw scored first before freshman Karl Van Blargan tied the game on an Andrew Lempner pass which started three consecutive goals for the Lynx. DePauw closed out the first quarter on a 4-1 run. 

Down 7-5, a defensive ground ball by Austin Le led to a quick Rhodes transition and four-on-three situation where quick passing led to a beautiful goal by Andrew Lempner from Christian Cisneros. DePauw was charged with a slashing penalty with 27 seconds left in the game allowing Tyler Milwit to open the second half with a goal on an open look by Lempner. Milwit then scored a minute later as he dove and was pushed into the crease, ultimately moving the cage after the ball went across the goal line extended to give Rhodes a 10-8 lead. Van Blargan netted his fourth of the game and broke up a true hat trick for Milwit with 5:27 to play in the quarter. DePauw's lone goal of the third quarter came on a deflection by the Lynx defense before the Perez brothers teamed up to give the Lynx a 13-9 advantage. David Perez served up Matt Perez for the final goal of the quarter with two seconds left. In the fourth quarter, each team netted two goals.

Cameron Link saved 13 shots in cage for Rhodes. The Lynx dominated the face-offs, winning 19 of 28 attempts. David Perez recorded three goals and two assists to lead the game with five points on three shots. Van Blargan and Milwit both tallied four goals each while Lempner finished the game with two goals and two assists. Cisneros also had a breakout first collegiate game with three assists. J.J. Hoots raked up 12 ground balls, breaking a tied record from Steven Yowan (2018) and Kevin Stierer (2013). James Margraff led the defense with three caused turnovers.

The two teams combined for 53 turnovers and 79 shots as the 80-second shot clock rule takes effect this year. 

Rhodes returns to Crain Field to host Illinois Wesleyan at noon on Sunday, February 17.